NAELA's CareerCenter

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Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Department: Executive

Reports To: General Manager/CEO

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Summary

Establishes the overall financial plans for the Cooperative and subsidiary, along with accounting practices and manages relationships with the financial community. Provides financial expertise and advice to the senior management team and board of trustees. Directs the design and implementation of overall company policies relating to financial reporting, audit, internal control, management information systems, cash management, and tax. This position is an integral part of the senior management team with shared responsibility for the implementation of the Cooperative and subsidiary's policies and procedures.

Standards of Excellence

The standards of excellence represent the code of conduct required of every employee to ensure a culture of excellence is maintained throughout the cooperative.

• Supports the organization by having sufficient knowledge of programs and services offered and professionally representing the organization in a positive manner. Contributing to high organizational and team performance through a commitment to excellence.
• Accepts challenges and supports change within the organization. Demonstrates commitment, and overcomes resistance through resourcefulness and creative problem-solving.
• Allocates time and attention based on what is most important to achieve key goals and objectives.
• Effectively organizes and balances tasks and priorities to keep multiple duties on track.
• Demonstrates effective skills in obtaining and researching facts and information. Interprets and analyzes information, including instructions and guidelines to make appropriate decisions.
• Selects and uses appropriate communication methods and demonstrates follow through with commitments.
• Observes safety and security procedures and actively demonstrate safe work practices at all times.
• Exhibits integrity and demonstrates ethical behavior in everyday business conduct.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains staff performance in accordance with the Cooperative’s policies and procedures and applicable laws. Includes but is not limited to: interviewing, selecting, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Develops financial strategy to ensure optimal Balance Sheet structure.
• Develops and maintains primary relationships with Financial Institutions to enable the company to procure the necessary funding for growth and expansion.
• To provide leadership, vision, advice, and assistance to the Board of Directors concerning industry changes, strategic planning, business objectives, and policy needs that will support the cooperative’s mission and provide effective guides to operations.
• To provide leadership and direction to personnel to secure their support, ability, and cooperation in accomplishing the business objectives.
• Guides and assists the Board of Directors in developing goals, policies, and plans to support the strategic planning.
• Manages the ongoing activities of the accounting department for the Cooperative and its subsidiary businesses, such as maintenance of property records, and general and construction fund disbursements, to ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Plans and conducts board meetings in a professional manner by providing data, facilitating participation, and building consensus among the directors.
• Consults with attorneys, auditors, engineers, and others, as necessary, to accomplish corporate goals and objectives.
• Provides an annual budget, financial plan, and competitive pricing system that is adopted by the Board and reviewed monthly by personnel and the Board.
• Participates in the activities of state and national industry organizations to promote the cooperative’s interests.
• Maintains positive business relationships including, but not limited to, the Chamber of Commerce, local service organizations, and economic development organizations.
• Responsible for, reporting variances to the Board of Trustees, developing sales forecasts, and coordinating with management staff to ensure needs are effectively planned and met.
• Manages and maintains strong relationships with financial institutions and auditors, ensuring proper financial and tax reporting and compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Supervises wholesale power billing activities and the development of monthly power cost adjustment.
• Directs financial analysis to ensure rate design supports the revenue requirements and financial goals of the Cooperative and subsidiary businesses, such as equity level and required financial ratios.
• Manages and monitors the development of financial forecast, budget, reports, and analyses to provide management and board of trustees’ insight and decision support.
• Responsible for the compliance of subsidiaries on federal grant programs.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Competencies

Financial Responsibility - Understands financial targets and budget goals, incorporates financial analysis into strategic decisions, implements operating budget to address changing priorities, creates sound business cases to support expenditures and promotes conservation of organizational resources.

Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; generates creative solutions; develops innovative approaches and ideas; and demonstrates attention to detail.

Analytical Skills - Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data, identifies data relationships and dependencies, and designs

Relationship Building – Builds rapport up, down and across the organization, establishes collaborative relationships to achieve objectives, seeks win-win solutions to conflict, develops a network of professional contacts, displays empathy, and tolerates diverse viewpoints

Change Management– Develops workable implementation plans, communicates change effectively, builds commitment and overcomes resistance, prepares and supports those affected by the change, monitors transition, and evaluates results.

Communication Skills – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and requests clarification when needed; responds well to questions; and participates in meetings.

Continuous Learning – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses, seeks feedback to improve performance, pursues training and development opportunities, strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, and shares expertise with others.

Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team; and supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Leadership – Inspires and motivates others to perform well; includes appropriate employees in planning and decision-making; takes responsibility for employees’ activities; makes self available to employees; develops employee’s skills and encourages growth; gives appropriate recognition to others; and continually works to improve work environment and leadership skills.

Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; accepts responsibility for own actions; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity; and upholds organizational values.

Organization Support – Follows policies and procedures to further company goals and values; promotes a harassment-free environment; and respects diversity. Refrains from causing or contributing to disruptions in the workplace.

Confidentiality – Uses discretion and maintains confidentiality in sensitive matters.

Education and/or Experience— Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field is required. A Master's degree in Business Administration is preferred. CPA is desirable. Five to ten years of experience in utility accounting is required.  Previous experience in financial management and accounting principles with a rural electric utility is desirable.  Previous management experience, as well as strategic planning and development required.